Comparison Narrative When I compare the use of hand-drawn maps versus SpicyNodes, I used the following criteria: ease of use, visual attractiveness, organization, and allowance of creativity. By using these to make the comparisons, I am able to decide which one I would use in the future. Hand-drawn maps are easy to do, but if you make a mistake, you have to start over. That can affect the visual attractiveness. In my case I am not an artist nor do I have neat handwriting. With hand-drawn maps, it is a little hard to make sure everything looks neat and organized. If I was a different person, this would be easier, but I am not. On the other hand, hand-drawn maps allow for many chances for creativity. SpicyNodes are easy to use, and if you make a mistake, it is easy to adjust and re-input data. Depending on the type of template, SpicyNodes can allow for a visually attractive map. This also allows the map to be very organized and neat. Because it is a pre-set template, there is not a lot of room for creativity.
Comparison Chart
Criteria
Hand-drawn
SpicyNodes
Ease of Use
I am able to draw, as I need. If I make a mistake, I have to start all over on another piece of paper.
I am able to input data as needed and adjust the way it looks. If I make a mistake, I just undo it instead of scrapping the whole map.
Visual Attractiveness
I am not an artist so I have to carefully write and draw. My handwriting is not great so it makes it a little less attractive.
I am able to pick a pre-made template, which allows for visually attractive maps.
Organization
It is difficult to make sure that everything is neat and organized due to artistic abilities.
Because of the pre-made templates, it allows for clean and neat maps.
Allowance of Creativity
There are many opportunities for creativity due to colors, images, etc.
Because of the pre-made templates, there are less opportunities for creativity
Appropriateness and Value For this project and others like it, I would choose a web 2.0 app to do a visual map. I am not artistically inclined. Anything that makes it easier for me to make a neat and organized map is the best for me when doing these kinds of assignments. I see the value of both the hand-drawn and web 2.0 maps. Depending on the person doing the assignment, either one could work well. Challenges I faced several challenges when trying to complete this project. When the project was assigned, I started a new full-time job, which took a lot of time. I work from home, but I am a full-time 8th grade ELA teacher. Since I had to attend trainings, begin planning, and start teaching, I was overwhelmed. In the two week, I had to complete it I had to ask for an extension for this project due to those factors. On top of that, I became ill, which put me to the last moment (not something I wanted) to complete this project. Another challenge I faced was connecting my data to past articles I read and the podcasts I did. I hardly had any articles that connected with my age group since it seems that many of the articles focus on people age 45 and under. My podcasts focused on K-12 education matters so I felt I could not connect this age population to the topics. It makes me concerned about writing about this age group in a future project.
Reflective Narrative
Comparison Narrative
When I compare the use of hand-drawn maps versus SpicyNodes, I used the following criteria: ease of use, visual attractiveness, organization, and allowance of creativity. By using these to make the comparisons, I am able to decide which one I would use in the future.
Hand-drawn maps are easy to do, but if you make a mistake, you have to start over. That can affect the visual attractiveness. In my case I am not an artist nor do I have neat handwriting. With hand-drawn maps, it is a little hard to make sure everything looks neat and organized. If I was a different person, this would be easier, but I am not. On the other hand, hand-drawn maps allow for many chances for creativity.
SpicyNodes are easy to use, and if you make a mistake, it is easy to adjust and re-input data. Depending on the type of template, SpicyNodes can allow for a visually attractive map. This also allows the map to be very organized and neat. Because it is a pre-set template, there is not a lot of room for creativity.
Comparison Chart
Appropriateness and Value
For this project and others like it, I would choose a web 2.0 app to do a visual map. I am not artistically inclined. Anything that makes it easier for me to make a neat and organized map is the best for me when doing these kinds of assignments. I see the value of both the hand-drawn and web 2.0 maps. Depending on the person doing the assignment, either one could work well.
Challenges
I faced several challenges when trying to complete this project. When the project was assigned, I started a new full-time job, which took a lot of time. I work from home, but I am a full-time 8th grade ELA teacher. Since I had to attend trainings, begin planning, and start teaching, I was overwhelmed. In the two week, I had to complete it I had to ask for an extension for this project due to those factors. On top of that, I became ill, which put me to the last moment (not something I wanted) to complete this project.
Another challenge I faced was connecting my data to past articles I read and the podcasts I did. I hardly had any articles that connected with my age group since it seems that many of the articles focus on people age 45 and under. My podcasts focused on K-12 education matters so I felt I could not connect this age population to the topics. It makes me concerned about writing about this age group in a future project.